One cannot read the Christmas story found in the Gospel of Matthew without wincing at the atrocity of evil that occurs there. King Herod, warned by the Magi of his newly born replacement, slaughters the innocent. Jealous for his continuing reign, he has every male child, aged two and under, in Bethlehem and its vicinity murdered.  Matthew identifies his massacre as fulfilling Jeremiah’s prophecy: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted,  because they are no more.” Matthew 2:18.  But was Rachel, viewed here metaphorically as the nation of Israel, weeping over something more than this particular slaughter?  And would an end to her tears ever come?  

The real Rachel was the wife of Jacob, father of the twelve tribes of Israel.  After experiencing great difficulty in giving birth to their second child, she died. Just before her death, she was encouraged by her midwife, who said, ““Don’t despair, for you have another son.”  Genesis 35:17.  Jacob named this son Benjamin.  Afterward, he buried Rachel near the town of Ramah, where they had stopped as they journeyed toward Ephrath (Bethlehem), a village some eleven miles away.  Flowing from the tragic nature of this event, Rachel’s tears would become a sign of Israel’s mourning.

Jeremiah’s use of Rachel’s tears was first intended to convey grief over Israel’s sin. The nation, birthed in part from her womb, had been exiled to Babylon.  Jeremiah, himself sent as a captive, had been found by Israel’s conquerors in Ramah.  His prophetic words above portrayed Rachel as weeping from there, still looking toward Bethlehem, as thousands of Jews were staged and carried off in defeat.  Why had they been taken captive? Over many generations, through many kings and priesthoods, they had forsaken God, rebelling against him.  He had allowed their exile to occur.

Hundred of years later, and after many captives had long since returned to her, Israel remained broken, both physically and spiritually. At the time of Jesus’ birth, she was still in desperate need of a Savior.  So…we shouldn’t find it surprising that Rachel mourned again as another of her kings mortally stabbed her own babes and toddlers. Yet she truly need not have despaired.  For another son had, indeed, been born to her.  He was a Messiah, a deliverer.  His name would be Jesus.  And he would save the faithful found not only in her, but in all nations of the earth.

Admittedly, the ultimate salvation found in Jesus awaits us, with today being no different from the evil days of Herod.  Innocents are still murdered by the guilty, in a variety of horrific manners.  But Jesus will bring them justice.  He will avenge all who are found not guilty through his sacrificial blood.  Just as he determined to begin the Christmas story, so shall he bring its end.  And upon that end, when he returns, Rachel’s weeping shall cease.  So shall that of her children.  For ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things [will have] passed away.”  Revelation 21:4.  That will be one Merry Christmas!

Did Joseph tell Mary he could find no decent room in Bethlehem for her to give birth?  Or did she just know by the look on his face when he returned from the last place he’d tried? They had to be disappointed…and exhausted.  They’d traveled a long way to the tiny village just to show up for a Roman census. Now, they faced resting with the livestock and placing a newborn into a feeding trough. No bassinet. Definitely no Pack-n-Play.

Do you ever wonder how people could have been so insensitive to a couple in their situation?  Surely, their dire need could have been sized up with just one look at Mary’s burgeoning tummy.  I’d like to think I would have come up with some alternative to the animal cave. I’d like to think I would have done anything to make room for Jesus. Yet, I’m not so sure I would have.  I don’t always make room for Him now.

The prelude to Christmas keeps me so busy.  There are meals to make…cookies to bake…and shopping trips to take.  There are lights to hang…trees to decorate…presents to wrap.  If I’m not mindful, I can allow Christmas to come and go without even pondering my Savior’s birth for more than a few moments. Over the years, I’ve learned that making room for Jesus requires my intentional efforts.  I must set aside definite times on my mind’s calendar to remember Him. And, I must engage in activities that gratefully acknowledge He’s still The Reason for the season! Here are several things I’m doing this year to invite Him into the inn of my heart:

1) Reading the Gospel of Luke (which contains a detailed account of Jesus’ birth). 2) Setting up a nativity scene for my granddaughter and me to play with. 3) Hanging “Adorn-a-ments” on our tree showing various names for Jesus, such as the Door, the Bread of Life, the Light of the World. 4) Shopping for a non-profit charity that exalts Jesus’ name. 5) Telling the nativity story using Mickey Mouse Clubhouse character hand puppets! 6) Attending Christmas worship services.

After reconsidering the plight of Joseph and Mary, I’m determined to make extra room this December for the Baby who grew up to save me…for the One who gave His life in exchange for mine.  What are you doing to invite Jesus into your Christmas? I’d love to know! You can tell me in the comments section below.

George. Our family’s Thanksgiving turkey. Named after the First POTUS, he was a phenomenal bird. With every touch of my sharpened carving blade, he began to lay himself bare. Moist and tender, his flesh fell away…nearly to the bone.  If only I’d had a double-edged sword! I must admit I chuckled as this routine, holiday endeavor brought to mind a passage of Scripture: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”Hebrews 4:12-13.

Hmmm…such a powerful proclamation requires some rather serious contemplation. Does God’s Word do what Paul says it does? Yep. Having studied Scripture for most of my adult life, I can say with confidence that it does far more than prod the conscience. It candidly weighs the contents of what I think and feel. Carving through my life-toughened exterior into my inmost being, it reveals the secrets of my heart. Deceit cannot hide. Doubt cannot run. Fear has no way of escape. Indeed, I am laid naked before the eyes of the One who made me. Though I find myself vulnerable, and often pained at the revelation which comes, I am not afraid. Just filled with wonder and awe…amazed at the lengths God would go to in order to set me aright…to secure my footing and give me a firm place to stand. Who knew the butchering of a Thanksgiving bird could hold such a power of conviction? He did.

T-shirts. Jeans. Cardigans. Ankle boots. Little jewelry. Nothing fancy. These are the wardrobe choices I make to reflect my physical lifestyle at the moment. But what do I put on to portray who I am on the inside? What can I wear to convey the message of my heart? The Apostle Paul tells us to clothe ourselves with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12. These are certainly admirable qualities, yet I must confess I don’t always think about cloaking myself in them.  I should.  Perhaps, you should, too.

Just imagine for a moment what the world around us could be like if we took the time to dress ourselves in these virtues every day.  Compassion would sow love. Kindness would diffuse sadness. Humility would meet everyone’s needs. Gentleness would allay fear. And, patience would turn away wrath. What a significant impact these selfless qualities would have! Perhaps, we could don them more readily if we kept in mind the perfect wearer of them…Jesus. During his ministry on earth, he exemplified each one perfectly, in everything he said and did. How did he do so consistently? He called upon his Heavenly Father, asking for his help. He followed the leading of the Holy Spirit, relying on his guidance. And, he remembered the Kingdom of God, sacrificially setting his priorities according to it.

As we enter into this season that recognizes our Savior’s birth, may we clothe ourselves with his very attitude. May we call upon our Heavenly Father, routinely asking for his help. May we stay in step with His Spirit, moving wherever He leads us. As we walk about the Kingdom, our new apparel will surely yield us ample opportunity to spread good tidings of great joy and a message of eternal hope!

Old age is described in the Old Testament as the season when “gray hair” comes and “strength fails.”  1 Chronicles 23:1.  Having passed the mid-century mark in years, my frame a bit weaker, I’ve embraced the reality that I am getting there!  As I pause to consider God’s perspective on aging, I’m reminded of two things.  One, He has promised to be with me throughout all my days declaring, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.” Isaiah 46:4  Two, He has a specific goal in mind for me to accomplish.  You’ve now read the promise. But have you examined the goal?

King David wisely spoke of this goal saying, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God,  till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:17-18.  While David desired that God watch over him in his frailty, he also wanted to tell everyone about God’s might before he returned to the dust.  Do we possess this yearning?  Do we long to tell others of God’s powerful workings in our lives before we die?

Gifting such a knowledge of God to the next generation probably came easily to David.  He was, after all, a great poet and story-teller.  But, how do we, in practical ways, do we do the same? I’ll offer up a few examples of how I try to accomplish this.  As you sift through them, I hope you’ll think of other, more creative creative ways to share of God’s might! Please share them in the comments section.

1) I keep a journal of God’s most power-filled movements in my family’s lives.  I simply jot down words of Scripture and provide accompanying accounts of how God has kept His promises in them.  I’ve recalled His comfort in times of fear, His direction in times of uncertainty, His provision in times of financial hardship, and His peace in times of anxiety.

2) I nurture my personal Bible with detailed notes and markings about God’s faithfulness to us. I highlight specific verses that encourage us during trials.  I make mention of answered prayers. And, I record spiritual milestones reached.  I even employ emojis when the occasion warrants!

3) I use photographs to remind my next generation of just how good God has been to us.  I recently sent my daughter, now nineteen, some pictures of her second birthday party.  I enclosed a note recalling how God provided for her even as a toddler, giving her friends for life.  I’m sure many of your family photos yield evidence of God-at-work.  Perhaps He took you on a unique vacation?  A mission trip? Maybe He brought you to a great house in a wonderful neighborhood? Or to a wonderful school? Share these photos with your children and alert them to the footprints of God you see.

Aside from these ideas, there are many, simpler ways to tell about God’s power unleashed.  Send a link to an on-line sermon that inspires you.  Text a meaningful passage of Scripture that touches your heart.  Send a devotion or article that lifts your thoughts toward the One you love.  The point is to make it a point to communicate about Whose you are and why you are His!

Our purposeful acknowledgements of God, in whatever form, can influence the next generation.  I know this.  During a recent trip to Florida, my daughter came back to our hotel room after visiting Disney World.  She arrived with a gift for me…a delicate, silver chain touting a shiny key with Mickey Mouse ears.  It was presented with a note which read, “Thanks for the keys to the Kingdom…for sharing His love with me!”  This was her acknowledgement that what I had expressed to her about God had been taken to heart.

God wants us to share the evidence of His powerful workings in our lives with others, especially with those closest to us. He longs that we declare the redemptive message found in His Son, Jesus. So, let’s make it our goal in the gray-haired season of life to do just that.  As we do, we can be certain that He will always be with us!

A rock is launched by a mischievous passerby like a missile into a field of grazing sheep.  Though the rock lands safely, and poses no direct threat to the sheep, they panic.  Now startled, one sheep heads for the hills; the others quickly follow suit.  Enter the mob instincts of sheep.  People are no different.  The mob instinct presents itself in humans, too.  We, like sheep, tend toward fearfulness whenever we are suddenly stirred or caught off guard.  When panic strikes, we are apt to follow the lead of those closest to us, even if the path of escape leads us into more danger.  So, what’s a wiser sheep to do?

A wise sheep stays close to his shepherd and listens for his instruction, especially in times of uncertainty.  Jesus, the Good Shepherd, confirmed this, saying, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27.  Direction from Jesus is available to us 24-7.  We just need to ask for it and believe that it will be given to us.

James 1:5 states, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  Jesus never finds our questions that arise in anxious moments to be stupid or silly.  To the contrary, He welcomes them and desires to answer them.  Isn’t this is a trait of a Shepherd who loves His sheep and has their best interests at heart?

Fighting the mob instinct within us is not always easy.  But, in simply pausing to consider what Jesus has to say about a given situation, our spirits will be quieted and our footsteps will be directed toward a place of greater peace and safety.  The Psalmist David affirmed Jesus has both the ability and willingness to do this for us, declaring, “He leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”  Psalm 23: 2-3.

Perhaps one of the reasons sheep are so prone to mob behavior is because they routinely raise their heads when grazing to assess the movements of other sheep in the flock.  Their eyes constantly consider what others are doing, and they respond accordingly.  We behave similarly.  We strive to be in the know…and in the flow…of others around us.  But, wouldn’t we be better served by fixing our eyes upon Jesus, not only our Shepherd, but also the author and finisher of our faith?  If we did so, when the next projectile came flying through the field, we sheep would know just what to do…and where to go!

Sidebar:

One of my favorite authors on the commonalities between sheep and human behavior is W. Phillip Keller.  He was both a pastor and former Middle-eastern shepherd. I encourage you to read his book,  A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.  See https://www.christianbook.com/shepherd-looks-psalm-mass-market-edition/w-keller/9780310274414/pd/74414?product_redirect=1&Ntt=74414&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP.

I find myself yearning for more peace in this chaotic pasture of life, don’t you? Peace of mind…peace of soul…peace of heart.  Finding it largely depends upon the healthiness of my mental appetite.  Scripture encourages me to feed on “whatever is true…noble, and right, ” on whatever is pure…lovely, and admirable…” Philippians 4:8. The findings on this menu sustain and encourage me.  Because of this, I’ve determined to graze upward!!!

Want to graze with me? This blog was created to be a quieted pasture of sorts—a place where we can meet to chew upon Scripture and ponder its application to daily living—a place where we can muse through quotes…anecdotes…images…poetry…songs, etc….all aimed at bringing calmness to our meanderings.   As you wander about, feel free to comment on whatever appears.  I simply ask that you treat the sheep in this field with kindness and respect—no butting heads/behaving baaa-dly!